Condensed water drain structure

ABSTRACT

A condensed water drain structure includes an air conditioning case having an evaporator and a drain for draining condensed water from inside the air case to the exterior of a vehicle body. A drain cap mounted on the drain has a head with a hole for draining condensed water. The hole is shaped as a slot having a height difference toward the air conditioning case in an axial direction of the head. The condensed water is smoothly drained even though there is a narrow space between a plate in the case and structure external to the case, to prevent vehicle exhaust gas or smoke from entering of the vehicle body.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a condensed water drain structure for draining condensed water generated in an air conditioner for a vehicle, and more particularly, to a condensed water drain structure, which is applicable when an interval between a plate member constituting the lower part of a vehicle body and the external structure is narrow and can smoothly drain condensed water by preventing stopping of a drain hole under any bad circumstances.

2. Background Art

In general, an air conditioner for providing heating and cooling to promote a driver and a passenger's convenience is installed inside a vehicle. The air conditioner performs cooling through an evaporator through which refrigerant passes, and performs heating using a heater core through which cooling water passes.

However, when the air conditioner performs cooling, vapor contained in the outside air is condensed to the evaporator and so condensed water is generated since the outside air is cooled while passing through the evaporator. If condensed water is introduced to the inside of the vehicle together with the outside air, condensed water must be drained to the outside of the vehicle body since the driver and the passenger may feel unpleasant. It is good to shorten a flow channel of condensed water, and condensed water is generally drained in a perpendicularly downward direction using a pipe or a hose.

FIGS. 1 and 2 show prior art condensed water drain structures. In the drawings, the prior art condensed water drain structures have different forms from each other according to a distance between a plate member constituting the lower part of a vehicle body and the external structure.

In the prior art condensed water drain structures, a drain hose 54 or a drain pipe 64 is connected to a drain part 50-A or 60-A of an air conditioning case 50 or 60 in which an evaporator 51 or 61 is mounted, and the drain hose 54 or the drain pipe 64 passes through a plate member 52 or 62 constituting the lower part of the vehicle body, whereby condensed water is drained to the outside of the vehicle body. In this instance, considering that the air conditioner is installed on a side of the vehicle body, the external structure 53 or 63 such as a tire cover is located on an area where the drain hose 54 or the drain pipe 64 is exposed to the outside. Therefore, it is natural that the drain hose 54 or the drain pipe 64 is mounted not to be interfered with the external structure 53 or 63, and so, the drain hose 54 or the drain pipe 64 has a different form according to an interval between the external structure 53 or 63 and the plate member 52 or 62.

That is, as shown in FIG. 1, when there is a proper interval between the plate member 52 and the external structure 53, the drain hose 54 is mounted on the drain part 50-A of the air conditioning case 50 in such a way that the lower end, on which the drain hole 56 is formed, is spaced from the external structure 53 at a predetermined distance, a buffering member 55 is mounted on the plate member 52, and the drain hose 54 is inserted into the buffering member 55 to be protected.

Therefore, condensed water generated from the evaporator 51 is drained to the outside of the vehicle body through the drain hose 54 connected to the air conditioning case 50. In this instance, an interval formed between the drain hole 56 of the drain hose 54 and the external structure 53 is small in order to prevent introduction of smoke and contaminant from the outside of the vehicle body to the inside of the vehicle body through the drain hose 54.

However, as shown in FIG. 2, in fact, the interval between the plate member 62 and the external structure 63 is generally small. Therefore, the drain hose cannot be used, but only the lower end portion of the drain pipe 64 having a drain hole 66, which is formed to drain cooling water, is exposed to the outside of the plate member 62, and the drain pipe 64 is welded on the plate member 62 to prevent a shake of the drain pipe 64.

Condensed water generated from the evaporator 61 is drained to the outside of the vehicle body through the drain pipe 64 connected to the drain part 60-A of the air conditioning case 60. In this instance, an interval between the drain hole 66 of the drain pipe 64 and the external structure 63 is very small, and the drain hole 66 has a round section to smoothly drain condensed water.

However, the prior art condensed water drain structure cannot smoothly drain condensed water since the drain hole 66 of the drain pipe 64 is stopped when the external structure is transformed by shock. In addition, the prior art condensed water drain structure has another problem in that exhaust gas or other contaminant may be introduced to the inside of the vehicle body since the drain hole 66 has the round section.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, to solve the above problems occurring in the prior arts, and it is an object of the present invention to provide a condensed water drain structure, which has a slot-shaped drain hole to drain condensed water without regard to deformation by the external structure, thereby draining condensed water even though a portion of the drain hole is stopped and preventing introduction of exhaust gas or smoke to the inside of a vehicle body.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a condensed water drain structure, which additionally has a protector mounted around a drain part, thereby preventing introduction of condensed water drained through the drain hole to the inside of the vehicle body and protecting the drain part from the outside.

To accomplish the above objects, according to the present invention, there is provided a condensed water drain structure, which includes an air conditioning case having an evaporator and a drain part therein, and drain means for draining condensed water contained inside the air conditioning case to the outside of a vehicle body, wherein the drain means is a drain cap mounted on the drain part of the air conditioning case and having a head, the head having a drain hole for draining condensed water, and wherein the drain hole is in the form of a slot having a height difference toward the air conditioning case in an axial direction of the head.

In addition, the drain cap further includes a cylindrical body located between the head and the drain part of the air conditioning case, and the head is in the form of a hemisphere.

Moreover, the drain means further includes a protector mounted on the air conditioning case in such a way that a portion of the protector protrudes to the outside of a plate member forming the lower part of the vehicle body to thereby protect the drain cap.

Furthermore, the head of the drain cap is formed integrally with the drain part of the air conditioning case.

Here, the drain means further includes a protector formed on the drain part of the air conditioning in such a way as to surround the drain cap to protect the drain cap, and a seal member is seated between the drain cap and the protector.

Additionally, the protector includes a fixing ring spaced apart from the head of the drain cap at a predetermined interval for supporting the inside of the seal member, and the protector is formed at a height lower than the head of the drain cap.

In addition, the protector includes a support portion spaced apart from the drain cap at a predetermined interval in such a way as to surround the drain cap.

Moreover, the protector includes a number of ribs disposed between the support portion and the head of the drain cap for preventing deformation of the support portion.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments of the invention in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a structural view of a first embodiment of a prior art condensed water drain structure;

FIG. 2 is a structural view of a second embodiment of the prior art condensed water drain structure;

FIG. 3 is a structural view of a condensed water drain structure according to a first preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a bottom view of the condensed water drain structure according to the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a drain cap of the condensed water drain structure according to the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a structural view of a condensed water drain structure according to a second preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a condensed water drain structure according to a third preferred embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 8 is a sectional view of the condensed water drain structure according to the third preferred embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Reference will be now made in detail to the preferred embodiment of the present invention with reference to the attached drawings. Terms and words used in this specification and claims should be interpreted as meaning and concept corresponding to the technical idea of the present invention based on the principle that the inventor can properly define the concept of words to explain the inventor's invention in the best way.

FIG. 3 is a structural view of a condensed water drain structure according to a first preferred embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 4 is a bottom view of the condensed water drain structure according to the present invention, FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a drain cap of the condensed water drain structure according to the present invention, FIG. 6 is a structural view of a condensed water drain structure according to a second preferred embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a condensed water drain structure according to a third preferred embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 8 is a sectional view of the condensed water drain structure according to the third preferred embodiment of the present invention.

The condensed water drain structure according to the present invention includes: an air conditioning case 30 having an evaporator 31 and a drain part 30-A therein; an external structure 33 spaced apart from a plate member 32, which forms the lower part of a vehicle body, at a predetermined interval; a drain cap 10 perforating through the plate member 32 and combined to the drain part 30-A of the air conditioning case 30 to drain condensed water contained inside the air conditioning case 30 to the outside of the vehicle body; and a protector 20 mounted on the air conditioning case 30 at nearly the same height as the drain cap 10 and having a portion protruding to the outside of the plate member 32 for protecting the drain cap 10 and preventing introduction of drained condensed water to the inside of the vehicle body.

The drain cap 10 is combined to the drain part 30-A of the air conditioning case 30, and includes a cylindrical body 11 perforating through the plate member 32, which forms the lower part of the vehicle body, and a hemispherical head 12 connected to the cylindrical body 11. In this instance, a slot-shaped drain hole 13 is formed on the head 12 to drain condensed water, and the drain hole 13 has an axial height difference toward the body 11. In addition, for your convenience, the body 11 and the head 12 are separated from each other, but it is preferable that they are formed integrally with each other.

Here, the drain cap 10 may only have the head 12 excluding the body 11. As shown in FIG. 6, the drain cap 10 having only the head 12 may be directly connected to the drain part 30-A of the air conditioning case 30.

The protector 20 surrounds the drain cap 10, and includes: a support portion 21 spaced apart from the drain cap 10 at a predetermined interval; and a number of ribs 22 disposed between the support portion 21 and the head 12 of the drain cap 10 for preventing deformation of the support portion 21.

The condensed water drain structure according to the present invention can drain condensed water condensed in the evaporator 31 to the outside of the vehicle body through the drain cap 10 connected to the drain part 30-A of the air conditioning case 30.

Condensed water formed in the evaporator 31 of an air conditioner by condensation of vapor in the air is gathered to the drain part 30-A of the air conditioning case 30, and then, drained to the outside of the vehicle body through the drain hole 13 of the drain cap 10 connected to the lower portion of the drain part 30-A. That is, since the slot-shaped drain hole 13 is formed on the head 12 of the lower end portion of the drain cap 10, condensed water introduced to the drain cap 10 is drain through the drain hole 13 of the head 12. In this instance, since the slot-shaped drain hole 13 is elongatedly formed in the axial direction, condensed water can be drained to the outside through an unstopped portion of the drain hole 13 even though a portion of the drain hole 13 is stopped by the external structure 33.

Moreover, since the protector 20 or a seal member 40 surrounds the drain cap 10, it is difficult that the drain cap 10 is influenced by deformation of the external structure 33 even though the external structure 33 is transformed. Additionally, even though condensed water drained through the drain hole 13 of the head 12 is scattered, it can be prevented that the scattered condensed water have a bad influence on the vehicle body since introduction of condensed water is prevented by the protector 20.

Furthermore, it is difficult that exhaust gas or smoke of the vehicle is in direct contact with the drain hole 13 of the head since introduction of exhaust gas and smoke is interrupted by the support portion 21, and it is nearly impossible that exhaust gas and smoke are introduced to the inside of the vehicle body through the drain cap 10 since a section of the drain hole 13 of the opened head 12 is narrow.

Meanwhile, as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the drain cap 10 having the hemispherical head 12 may be formed integrally with the drain part 30-A. Also, in this instance, the slot-shaped drain hole 13 having the axial height difference is formed on the head 12. In addition, the protector 20 surrounding the drain cap 10 is formed on the drain part 30-A of the air conditioning case to protect the drain cap 10 and prevent spatter of the drained condensed water to the inside of the vehicle body. The seal member 40 is seated between the drain cap 10 and the protector 20.

In this instance, the protector 20 includes: a support portion 21 surrounding the drain cap 10 and spaced apart from the drain cap 10 at a predetermined interval; a number of ribs 22 disposed between the support portion 21 and the head 12 of the drain cap 10 for preventing deformation of the support portion 21; and a fixing ring 23 spaced apart from the head 12 of the drain cap 10 at a predetermined interval.

The protector 20 is formed at a height lower than the head 12 of the drain cap 10, and the air conditioning case 30, the head 12 and the protector 20 may be formed integrally with each other. In addition, the seal member 40 is mounted between the fixing ring 23 and the support portion 21 to prevent shock generated from the plate member 32 of the lower part of the vehicle body from being directly transferred to the drain cap 10.

Also in this instance, condensed water condensed in the evaporator 31 can be drained to the outside of the vehicle body through the drain cap 10 connected to the drain part 30-A of the air conditioning case 30, and so, its detailed description will be omitted.

But, in this case, the drain cap 10, which has only the head 12, and the protector 20 can be injection-molded integrally with the air conditioning case 30. Therefore, the present invention can promote productivity and reduce manufacturing costs. Moreover, since the seal member 40 located between the drain cap 10 and the protector 20 is inserted into a hole formed on the plate member 32 of the lower part of the vehicle body, it is prevented to directly transmit shock of the plate member 32 to the drain cap 10 or the protector 20, whereby durability of the drain cap 10 and the protector 20 is improved.

As described above, the condensed water drain structure according to the present invention can smoothly drain condensed water even though the interval between the plate member 32 and the external structure 33 is narrow, and prevent introduction of exhaust gas or smoke to the inside of the vehicle body.

Furthermore, the condensed water drain structure according to the present invention can promote productivity and reduce manufacturing costs since the drain cap 10 having only the head 12 and the protector 20 can be injection-molded integrally with the air conditioning case 30.

While the present invention has been described with reference to the particular illustrative embodiments, it is not to be restricted by the embodiments but only by the appended claims. It is to be appreciated that those skilled in the art can change or modify the embodiments without departing from the scope and spirit of the present invention. 

1. A condensed water drain structure, which includes an air conditioning case having an evaporator and a drain part therein, and drain means for draining condensed water contained inside the air conditioning case to the outside of a vehicle body, wherein the drain means is a drain cap mounted on the drain part of the air conditioning case and having a head, the head having a drain hole for draining condensed water, and wherein the drain hole is in the form of a slot having a height difference toward the air conditioning case in an axial direction of the head.
 2. The condensed water drain structure according to claim 1, wherein the drain cap further includes a cylindrical body located between the head and the drain part of the air conditioning case, and the head is in the form of a hemisphere.
 3. The condensed water drain structure according to claim 1, wherein the drain means further includes a protector mounted on the air conditioning case in such a way that a portion of the protector protrudes to the outside of a plate member forming the lower part of the vehicle body to thereby protect the drain cap.
 4. The condensed water drain structure according to claim 1, wherein the head of the drain cap is formed integrally with the drain part of the air conditioning case.
 5. The condensed water drain structure according to claim 4, wherein the drain means further includes a protector formed on the drain part of the air conditioning in such a way as to surround the drain cap to protect the drain cap.
 6. The condensed water drain structure according to claim 5, wherein the drain means further includes a seal member seated between the drain cap and the protector.
 7. The condensed water drain structure according to claim 6, wherein the protector includes a fixing ring spaced apart from the head of the drain cap at a predetermined interval for supporting the inside of the seal member.
 8. The condensed water drain structure according to claim 5, wherein the protector is formed at a height lower than the head of the drain cap.
 9. The condensed water drain structure according to claim 3, wherein the protector includes a support portion spaced apart from the drain cap at a predetermined interval in such a way as to surround the drain cap.
 10. The condensed water drain structure according to claim 9, wherein the protector includes a number of ribs disposed between the support portion and the head of the drain cap for preventing deformation of the support portion.
 11. The condensed water drain structure according to claim 5, wherein the protector includes a support portion spaced apart from the drain cap at a predetermined interval and surrounding the drain cap.
 12. The condensed water drain structure according to claim 11, wherein the protector includes a number of ribs disposed between the support portion and the head of the drain cap for preventing deformation of the support portion. 